Round of 16 Fan Preview: Atlético Madrid

As Atlético Madrid prepare to take on Juventus, Zach Lowy, co-creator of Breaking The Lines, speaks to Euan McTear, author of "Hijacking la Liga: How Atlético Madrid Broke Barcelona and Real Madrid's Duopoly on Spanish Football" and Spanish football editor for MARCA, about Atleti's chances going into the tie.

ZL: After an 18-game unbeaten streak in La Liga, Atlético have lost two straight matches this month: one to Real Betis, and one to Real Madrid. A few weeks before, they dropped out of the Copa del Rey to Girona. What's the state of mind going into Atlético's Round of 16 tie with Juventus?

EM: I think their state of mind is that their season is now all based on this Juventus game. Beforehand, they were one of the favorites for the Copa del Rey, as they always are, they were in the La Liga title race, they were the closest challengers to Barcelona, and then they've had a few terrible weeks to start off 2019.

All of a sudden, they drop out of the Copa del Rey on away goals against Girona--very unlucky offside goal ruled out late on from Santiago Arias. There were a few fine margins that went against them, and all of a sudden they found themselves out of the Copa del Rey.